MAKOGAI LEPER STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3833, 30 August 1927, Page 76

MAKOGAI LEPER STATION.

HIN EMO AS PATHETIC MISSION. AUCKLAND, August 25. Twenty-nine native lepers were picked up from lonely outposts in the Pacific by the Government steamer Hinemoa, which returned to Auckland to-day after an uneventful cruise of over a month. The lepers, most of whom were women, were taken to tho leper station on tho island of Makogai. The Hinemoa landed a seven-valve wireless set at Makogai, purchased with money subscribed by tho people of New Zealand. The set is a very powerful one. and it is expected that New Zealand, Australian, and American stations will be picked up with ease. Several packages of comforts from New Zealand and Samoa were also landed.

The wireless apparatus will probably be manipulated bv Mr George Pocock, a European patient from Suva, who is a skilled mechanic. He has a small workshop on the island, and, in addition to building boats, is electrician and general mechanical adviser to the Administration. His many friends will learn with pleasure that he is recovering. It was learned that Dr Neff, medical officer in charge of the station, had recently returned from an extensive tour abroad. He devoted much of his time while in England and on the Continent, to the study of the modern treatment of leprosy, and the experience thus gained is exacted to be of great value in his future work among the lepers. Members of the crew of the Hinemoa spoke of the distressing scenes when the leper natives left their homes for the leper station. For some days after leaving their islands the patients brooded over their fate in their cabins : but eventually they brightened up and began to look forward to the life at Makogai. Tlie Hinemoa arrived at Suva on August 18, and loaded 2300 cases of bananas for the Dominion, sailing for Auckland on the following day.